- What is the personal injury claim process?
The claim process is a way for an injured person to receive compensation for damage done by a negligent actor. This can mean damage to property or injuries to a person. The negligent actor can be a person driving a motor vehicle, an employer, a doctor, or any person or entity who acted in a reckless manor.
- Will my personal injury case go to trial?
99% of personal injury claims do not go to trial. This is because claims can take years to get to a jury trial and those trials can be expensive and time consuming. While our firm has tried multiple cases each, it is usually in everyone’s best interests to come to a resolution prior to a trial. At Kaiman & Crahan, we prepare every case as if it going to trial to ensure we are prepared in the event a trial is necessary.
- What should I do after a personal injury accident?
After an injury, it is important to seek medical attention if it is an emergency. If the injuries do not necessitate immediate attention, documenting the scene and the people involved becomes paramount. If it is an automobile collision, calling the police and taking pictures of the scene and vehicles involved is key. Once proper documentation of the event is taken, contacting a lawyer to ensure you take the right steps and have an advocate on your side is the best course of action.
- How long does a personal injury lawsuit take to get a settlement?
There is no set time that a personal injury case will last. If the injury is minor and the treatment minimum, it may resolve within 90-120 days. If it goes to a jury trial, it can take up to five years. Typically, it takes 6-12 months to resolve a case if a lawsuit isn’t filed. If the case goes to litigation, the average length is 12-24 months.
- How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
This would depend on the type of claim. For example, a slip and fall or a medical malpractice injury must typically be filed within one year while a motor vehicle action doesn’t have to be filed for at least two years. It is best to contact an attorney as soon as the injury occurs to avoid missing the deadline.
- What is considered a personal injury?
A personal injury is any damage done to a person or property due to the negligence of another. Some examples of the types of personal injury matters we have handled include automobile, trucking, and motorcycle collision, work place injuries, medical malpractice, slip and falls, and dog bites.
- How can an attorney help my case?
An attorney helps every case because he or she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Most people will suffer a personal injury once or twice in his or her life while as attorneys, we have handled hundreds of these cases. Attorneys can be an advocate against an insurance company that has unlimited resources and a whole team dedicated to settling claims for as little as possible. An attorney can also handle paperwork and correspondence freeing the injured person to focus on treatment and everyday matters without worrying about who is calling or what documents to sign and mail. Numerous studies have shown that injured people receive higher compensation if they retain an attorney, more than enough to cover the attorneys’ fees and costs. If the insurance company has a team working to minimize any potential recovery, an injured person needs an attorney on his or her side trying to maximize that recovery.